With just a week to go until Canberra Olympic begin their National FFA Cup Journey, it is time to meet their opponents in the Round of 32; Sorrento FC.
The Gulls are based in the Perth suburb of Duncraig, and ply the their trade in the Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues West Australia.
Coached by former A-League stalward Jamie Harnwell, the side currently sit fourth on the PS4 NPL WA table after 21 rounds, only four points off the pace in a highly competitive competition.
Following the draw nearly three weeks ago, Olympic’s Frank Cachia said that the travel component would be a new challenge this year, on top of taking on a team with the reputation of Sorrento.
“It is a bit of an unknown, the furthest we travelled last year was in the NPL [Finals Series] to Brisbane,” he said of the trip.
But Perth is basically twice as far, so it is hard to guess around what that will mean for us and how that will play out.”
“It is tough, anyone in that final 32 is there for a reason, they haven’t just slipped their way in,” he added of Sorrento.
The Gulls made the Round of 32 as well in the 2015 edition of the cup, where they were drawn against A-League powerhouse Sydney FC, also the semi-final conquerors of Olympic last year.
The West Australian side were then eliminated in the preliminary rounds of last years tournament, but won through this year with a 1-0 victory over Dianella White Eagles to take one of WA’s two Round of 32 spots.
Sorrento FC
Founded: 1972
Manager: Jamie Harnwell
Home Ground: Percy Doyle Reserve
Match Details: Wednesday 26th July – 8:30pm (AEST) – Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig | Streamed on Fox Sports